Major Dude back to winning ways under Velazquez. (Chelsea Durand)
By Mary Eddy
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Spendthrift Farm’s Major Dude lived up to his 3-5 favoritism with a stalk-and-pounce victory in Saturday’s Listed $150,000 Artie Schiller, a one-mile inner turf test for 3-year-olds and up, at Belmont at the Big A.
Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, the 5-year-old son of Bolt d’Oro found the winner’s circle for the first time since taking the Grade 2 Fort Lauderdale in December at Gulfstream Park. He entered from a fifth in the Grade 3 Mint Millions Invitational on September 6 at Kentucky Downs, which was preceded by three consecutive thirds in stakes company.
Major Dude exited the inside post under Hall of Famer John Velazquez and held his rail position while Big Everest was away quickest from the outermost post 5 to clear the field and mark the opening quarter-mile in 23.62 seconds over the firm turf, facing some outside pressure from Horsepower, who was coaxed along by Dylan Davis.
Big Everest was under a snug hold onto the backstretch with Horsepower right on his flank and a gap back to Major Dude, who was keen in the turn but settled and drifted to the three-path as Sand Pipes advanced to his inside through the half-mile in 47.96.
Major Dude’s move to an outer path set him up for a bid around the top duo, and he loomed large into the turn as Sand Pipes was in need of room along the inside and Horsepower was asked for his best through three-quarters in 1:12.68. Big Invasion clung to a precarious lead into the lane but was soon overtaken by Horsepower as Major Dude gained with every stride and Otago gave chase down the center of the course.
MAJOR DUDE wins the Artie Schiller Stakes with @ljlmvel aboard for trainer @PletcherRacing and @spendthriftfarm. pic.twitter.com/xju4fKAERf
— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 11, 2025
The Jose Lezcano-piloted Otago continued to make up ground in the final sixteenth and Horsepower battled on valiantly to the inside, but Major Dude proved best to edge clear to a one-length score in a final time of 1:36.69. Otago put his nose down for second over Horsepower with Sand Pipes and Big Everest completing the order of finish. Lucky Score and main track-only entrant Light the Way were scratched.
Stu Hampson, Pletcher’s Belmont Park assistant, praised the smart ride from Velazquez, who entered Saturday tied for the lead with nine wins at the Keeneland, meet where he has already won five stakes races this month.
“We thought we might work out a trip where we’re box-seated and waiting for the right time to pounce. Johnny did a great job of getting him in behind horses and once he got down to the rail and got cover, he switched off a little bit,” Hampson said. “He looked loaded all the way around there and when the time was right, he hit go and he went. We’re very happy with the result.”
Velazquez said Major Dude was primed for a strong run once settled down the backstretch.
“I knew there were two speed horses. My horse got a little bit keen in the first part of the race. When those two horses went, he settled nicely,” Velazquez explained. “I had to take a good hold of him. Then, I left him alone because I know he has trouble on this type of ground. He gave me enough to win the race.”
@mig4450 interviews @ljlmvel after his win in the Artie Schiller Stakes with Major Dude. pic.twitter.com/8GqLWPzEes
— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 11, 2025
Lezcano said the Kelsey Danner-trained Otago, who checked between rivals in the first sixteenth, put forth a good effort despite the trouble.
“He gave me a good race. He was a very good horse. All class,” Lezcano said. “He gave me what he got, but the winner kept going. Out of the gates, I guess we got pinched a little bit, that’s why we were farther back.”
Bred in Kentucky by Clearsky Farms, Major Dude banked $82,500 in victory while improving his lifetime record to 26-8-4-5, which includes three additional graded victories. He returned $3.46 on a $2 win ticket.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Belmont at the Big A with a nine-race card, featuring the $150,000 Carle Place in Race 4. First post is 1:10 p.m. Eastern.
